Troopers identify officer in Wainwright shooting

ANCHORAGE (AP) Alaska State Troopers identified the North Slope Borough police officer involved in the fatal shooting of a Wainwright man as Kim Spalding, a 12-year veteran of the force.

Spalding, 35, has been serving with the police department at Wainwright for two years, state troopers said in a statement.

Spalding was called to a Wainwright home early Sunday by reports that a man was pointing a rifle at family members. Spalding fatally shot Jason Tagarook, 19, after the man pointed a rifle at him, state troopers said.

Alaska State Troopers are investigating the shooting to determine if it was justified.

Troopers have said Spalding shot Tagarook after the officer believed his life was in danger.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning, state troopers said. Police have not said whether alcohol was a factor.

Wainwright is an Inupiat whaling village of about 540 people on the Chukchi Sea coast, about 85 miles southwest of Barrow.